I Among Dogs

Chapter 29: A Talk With Sisters

 Well, another Halloween had come and passed just like that, and it was now nearing the second week of November. And if the army of trees slowly losing their orange leaves wasn't evidence of that, then I don't know what was.

I frowned as I soon came to the realisation that the time I had left with the Heeler family before the big decision was running short. Given the amount of months Andrew had given them to make a choice, it would be near Christmas when either the Heelers decided to adopt me or have me sent to a foster home.

And it was the possibility of the latter happening that filled me with dread.

Or even worse... What if I didn't fit in with any of the foster homes Canistralia had? If that were to happen... then chances are they'd send me back to Denver, and I'd never be able to see any of the friends I made here again.

Bluey and Bingo would absolutely be broken with me gone, as would her friends, especially Chloe...

...

...No. There's no way Andrew would ever allow that. He said it himself that I was Canistralia's Human Ambassador. If I was sent out of this region, then my role as an ambassador would be over.

Faith. I needed to have faith.

Just like how Hachi's grandpa has faith in me defeating Kurou.

...Korou.

...

I turned to one of the trees and gave it a swift kick, making sure not to hurt myself as I got into a stance and did the jab-leaf-grab technique I had done at Rusty's house to practice. No matter what, I was going to push myself to my limits if it meant an increased chance of victory for the upcoming fight.

I had just grabbed the last leaf when I suddenly had a feeling like something was off. Like I wasn't alone and that someone's eyes were on me.

That feeling of being watched turned out to be true when I spotted someone peeking at me from behind one of the other nearby trees, to which they immediately let out a panicked squeak upon realising I had spotted them and scrambled backwards to try and hide, only to tumble and fall flat onto their back as I approached, ready to confront them.

Until I recognised the black fur with red streaks and pair of glasses.

The same Spitz girl I had seen on Halloween night that seemed very wary of me or was probably just very shy, but why was she watching me?

Perhaps being as nice to her as possible would make it easier to get an answer, I bent down a little and offered a hand out to help her up. The Spitz stared at my hand anxiously, almost like a cautious puppy that had been abandoned on the streets until after what felt like at least a minute, she gingerly took a hold of my hand and I pulled her up.

"You alright, miss?" I asked as politely as I could to her, her eyes avoiding mine as she fiddled with her glasses a little.

"Yes..." I faintly heard her mumble, even though it was rather quiet, I could tell her voice was a little broken, like she was seriously distressed about something.

...This might be harder than I thought.

"If you're afraid of me, I understand. But I promise you I'm not gonna hurt you or anyone else--"

"I'M NOT-- I-I'm not... afraid of you..." The Spitz suddenly blurted out in a flustered tone but immediately composed herself, trying to sound reassuring.

"...If you don't want to tell me what's wrong, I won't force you to." I promised, making sure my voice stayed gentle. Her face creased up some more as her lips quivered, like whatever was eating away at her was making her feel even more worse the longer I spoke with her.